Technical Bulletin #37

Methods to Monitor Heat Transfer

Methods of Measuring Heat Transfer Units/Typical Design Values Data Needed

A. Condensers or heat exchangers °F (4–20) Cooling water temp out and process temp out
Terminal temperature difference (TTD*) = As TTD* increases, efficiency decreases. Compare the operating
process temp out - cooling water temp out TTD to design TTD under 80–100% of design maximum load.

Heat Exchangers °F (8–20)

Approach temp = process temp out - cooling water As approach temp goes up, efficiency goes down Cooling water in, °F
temp in Cooling water out, °F

Heat exchanger or condensers

Overall heat transfer coefficient (U)

Q
U= or Q = Btu’s/hour; A = sq. ft. surface area
AT TLM = log mean temp difference
B B

LM
Btu’s/(°F) (ft2) (hr)
P P

(10–300) ' " ' "

The greater the U coefficient, the better the heat transfer (t − t ) − (t − t )
1 2 2 1
2 TLM =
Btu' s / ft. / hou r B B

U= ' "
t1 - t2
surface tem p − bu lk w ater tem p ln
' "
t - t
2 1

t1', t2' = temp in/out of hotter fluid

B PB P B PB P

t1", t2" = temp in/out of colder fluid

B PB P B PB P

0.85–0.9 or 85–90%
U m easu red The closer to design CF (or above), the better the heat transfer
Cleanliness factor CF) = Same as U value
U d esign
(hr) (°F) (ft2)/btu
P P

0.001–0.01
The larger the Rd or Rf, the more fouling
B B B B

Bulk water temp °F = (TW)c

Fouling factor = B B

Heat transfer surface skin temp °F = (TW)d B B

Q = Btu’s/hour
(TW) − (TW) 1 1 A = sq. ft. surface area
d c
Rd =
B B or Rf =
B B −
Q/ A U U
final d esign

*Generally, utilities call this terminal temperature difference. Some chiller manufacturers (e.g., York and Trane) call this calculation approach or approach temperature.
Only a few degrees increase indicates fouling.
Methods of Measuring Heat Transfer Units/Typical Design Values Data Needed

B. Condensers

Vacuum in. Hg (25–28) Vacuum

The larger the vacuum, the more efficient

Back pressure = atmospheric pressure - vacuum in. Hg (2–10) Atmospheric pressure and vacuum
The smaller the back pressure, the better the heat transfer

Back pressure rise = operating back pressure - design in. Hg (1–10) Operating back pressure and design back
back pressure The smaller the back pressure rise, the better the heat transfer pressure

C. Overall system performance

Recirculation pump discharge pressure psi (20–60) psi

An increase in pump discharge pressure suggests fouling

Recycled recovered solvent temperature Temp, °F Temp

The lower the temp, the better the heat transfer